How to be a Practicing Lawyer in Pakistan
Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973 and Pakistan Legal Practitioners & Bar Councils Rules 1976 are the governing legislations which lay down the criteria for enrolment of lawyers and their qualification. After passing the examination of LL.B in Pakistan a person can get himself enrolled in the Bar Council. The enrolment as an advocate is subject to getting through the subjective type/ multiple choices of written examination within a period of 2½ years in four attempts, completion of six months apprenticeship and passing the viva voice examination.
A bar council is a professional body that regulates the profession of lawyers. In Pakistan, one becomes a member of the bar after fulfilling certain requirements. The requirements include a valid law degree from a recognized university, offer certain undertakings and pay the Bar Association fees. If a person does not hold an LL.M Degree in Pakistan then he/she must first complete six months pupilage with a practicing advocate, whom he/she must have assisted on at least ten cases during his/her six-month pupilage period. A pupilage is the final stage of training to be a lawyer and usually lasts six months. At the end of the six months a pupil must get their senior advocate to sign a certificate confirming satisfactory completion and send it to the Bar Council. Thereafter, Bar Council will issue a certificate which will entitle the pupil to write the word advocate with his or her name.
Advocate High Court is the second level, and is eligible to practice in the High Courts of Pakistan and below. A license to practice in the High Courts can be obtained after successful completion of two years practice in the lower courts by application which is reviewed by a body of High Court Judges headed by the respective provincial Chief Justices and the relevant provincial Bar Council. Most applications after successful completion of the requirements are accepted.
Advocate Supreme Court is the third level. After successful completion of seven years practice at the High Courts an application can be made to the Pakistan Bar Council for becoming an advocate Supreme Court which is reviewed by a panel of Supreme Court Judges headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Over fifty percent of the number of applications after successful completion of the requirement are accepted. An unsuccessful application in one year does not bar the candidate from re-applying in the next judicial year.
The highest level is the Senior Advocate Supreme Court. It is Pakistan’s title equivalent to Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. After fifteen years of practice in the Supreme Court, the application for becoming a senior advocate Supreme Court may be submitted to a panel of Supreme Court Judges headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Very few applications are accepted and even fewer invitations are made. Attorney Generals are invited by the Supreme Court on their appointment to the office of Attorney General of Pakistan.
